Abstract: An injector system, method and computer program product for detecting a vacuum within a syringe are provided. Various embodiments include an actuator device configured to be engaged with a piston member of a syringe for extending and retracting the piston member within the syringe. A controller device is also provided for detecting an output generated by the actuator device when retracting the piston member. The detected output may be associated with a pressure within the reservoir. The controller device determines, via the detected output, when the pressure comprises a selected negative pressure and provides an indicia of the negative pressure to a user and/or a signal to the actuator device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical procedure. The device and system provide a controller that is capable of communicating with a dispensing device so as to extract, arrange, process, and present a data set (e.g., a usage data set) from the dispensing device to a user such that the user may selectively monitor statistics related to the administration of contrast media, saline, or other consumables used during one or more dispensing operations. The method and computer program product for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media may further allow for extraction, arrangement, processing, and presentation of the data set via the controller, via a user interface that is operably engaged with the dispensing device and/or via a computer network that may be in communication with the dispensing device.

Abstract: The invention is an interface device and system for establishing an operating interface between an injector device and diagnostic imaging equipment. In one embodiment, the interface device may permit an operator to concurrently operate and control the injector device and the imaging equipment. The interface device may permit the injector system and the imaging system to communicate information regarding their current and future operational status with each other. The interface device may be used to synchronize the operation of the imaging equipment and the injector device. In one embodiment, the injector device and the imaging equipment may be able to communicate with each other directly or through the interface device via a communications protocol comprising binary logic signals. The binary logic signals may comprise one or more of a low strength signal, a high strength signal, an oscillating signal that oscillates between low and high signal strength, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a syringe filling station that can fill a syringe with a specified volume of fluid. In one embodiment, the syringe filling station comprises a reservoir attachment, a fluid delivery system, a syringe retaining guide, and a pump to move fluid from a reservoir to a syringe. The fluid delivery system may comprise a sterile consumable cartridge that is insertable into the filling station and defines a fluid pathway from a reservoir to a syringe. The syringe filling station may also include a user interface. An operator can input commands into the user interface to specify the amount of fluid to dispense into the syringe. The user interface may be connected to a processor that controls the rate of pumping and thereby can fill a syringe with a desired amount of fluid. The filling station may also include sensors that detect air in the tubing, depletion of the reservoir, among other things.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a syringe filling station that can fill a syringe with a specified volume of fluid. In one embodiment, the syringe filling station comprises a reservoir attachment, a fluid delivery system, a syringe retaining guide, and a pump to move fluid from a reservoir to a syringe. The fluid delivery system may comprise a sterile consumable cartridge that is insertable into the filling station and defines a fluid pathway from a reservoir to a syringe. The syringe filling station may also include a user interface. An operator can input commands into the user interface to specify the amount of fluid to dispense into the syringe. The user interface may be connected to a processor that controls the rate of pumping and thereby can fill a syringe with a desired amount of fluid. The filling station may also include sensors that detect air in the tubing, depletion of the reservoir, among other things.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a syringe filling station that can fill a syringe with a specified volume of fluid. In one embodiment, the syringe filling station comprises a reservoir attachment, a fluid delivery system, a syringe retaining guide, and a pump to move fluid from a reservoir to a syringe. The fluid delivery system may comprise a sterile consumable cartridge that is insertable into the filling station and defines a fluid pathway from a reservoir to a syringe. The syringe filling station may also include a user interface. An operator can input commands into the user interface to specify the amount of fluid to dispense into the syringe. The user interface may be connected to a processor that controls the rate of pumping and thereby can fill a syringe with a desired amount of fluid. The filling station may also include sensors that detect air in the tubing, depletion of the reservoir, among other things.

Abstract: The invention is an interface device and system for establishing an operating interface between an injector device and diagnostic imaging equipment. In one embodiment, the interface device may permit an operator to concurrently operate and control the injector device and the imaging equipment. The interface device may permit the injector system and the imaging system to communicate information regarding their current and future operational status with each other. The interface device may be used to synchronize the operation of the imaging equipment and the injector device. In one embodiment, the injector device and the imaging equipment may be able to communicate with each other directly or through the interface device via a communications protocol comprising binary logic signals. The binary logic signals may comprise one or more of a low strength signal, a high strength signal, an oscillating signal that oscillates between low and high signal strength, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An injector system, method and computer program product for detecting a vacuum within a syringe are provided. Various embodiments include an actuator device configured to be engaged with a piston member of a syringe for extending and retracting the piston member within the syringe. A controller device is also provided for detecting an output generated by the actuator device when retracting the piston member. The detected output may be associated with a pressure within the reservoir. The controller device determines, via the detected output, when the pressure comprises a selected negative pressure and provides an indicia of the negative pressure to a user and/or a signal to the actuator device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a syringe filling station that can fill a syringe with a specified volume of fluid. In one embodiment, the syringe filling station comprises a reservoir attachment, a fluid delivery system, a syringe retaining guide, and a pump to move fluid from a reservoir to a syringe. The fluid delivery system may comprise a sterile consumable cartridge that is insertable into the filling station and defines a fluid pathway from a reservoir to a syringe. The syringe filling station may also include a user interface. An operator can input commands into the user interface to specify the amount of fluid to dispense into the syringe. The user interface may be connected to a processor that controls the rate of pumping and thereby can fill a syringe with a desired amount of fluid. The filling station may also include sensors that detect air in the tubing, depletion of the reservoir, among other things.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical procedure. The device and system provide a controller that is capable of communicating with a dispensing device so as to extract, arrange, process, and present a data set (e.g., a usage data set) from the dispensing device to a user such that the user may selectively monitor statistics related to the administration of contrast media, saline, or other consumables used during one or more dispensing operations. The method and computer program product for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media may further allow for extraction, arrangement, processing, and presentation of the data set via the controller, via a user interface that is operably engaged with the dispensing device and/or via a computer network that may be in communication with the dispensing device.

Abstract: A leak detector sequentially emits pulse signals toward a human body at a position at which a needle is inserted, detects pulse signals reflected inside of the human body, and measures a time interval between the emission and the detection for each of the pulse signals. Then, the leak detector calculates the difference between the measured interval and a predetermined time interval, and generates a leak warning for notification when the difference exceeds an acceptable range. Since a swelling on the surface of the human body causes a path of the pulse signal to extend, the leak detector can detect, based on the extended signal path, which the needle has come off a blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical procedure. The device and system provide a controller that is capable of communicating with a dispensing device so as to extract, arrange, process, and present a data set (e.g., a usage data set) from the dispensing device to a user such that the user may selectively monitor statistics related to the administration of contrast media, saline, or other consumables used during one or more dispensing operations. The method and computer program product for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media may further allow for extraction, arrangement, processing, and presentation of the data set via the controller, via a user interface that is operably engaged with the dispensing device and/or via a computer network that may be in communication with the dispensing device.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace for heating dental reconstructionproducts using sintered powder metal that includes a sealed vacuum tube made of a material having a relatively low thermal shock resistance characteristic. The vacuum tube is desirably relatively short. The vacuum tube chamber has a heating chamber and end seals for the vacuum tube have a maximum use temperature of less than 200.degree. C. Insulation is positioned around and connected to the tube proximate the ends of the tube, and heating elements are placed around the heating chamber in an annular insulation chamber formed in the insulation between the insulation and the vacuum tube. Opposed annular clearances extending to positions proximately spaced from the ends of the tube and opening to the central annular insulation chamber are formed between the insulation means and the vacuum tube. The insulation prevents heat from passing to the ends of the tube and overheating the seals there.